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| - Jimbo DIED and went to PINBALL HEAVEN ! ! !
Pinball ALERT !
PINBALL Alert !
pinBall alErt !
This place is about one thing and one thing only: PINBALL !!!
I saved my 400th review for this gem.
This would be Pinball HELL if I was stuck here with no quarters...
I should also mention I have a bi-coastal list of pinball spots here: http://www.yelp.com/list_details?list_id=gGDHjDE7A5YYZVCctiC7yw
The closest (i would assume) to the Pinball Hall of Fame in LV is LUCKY Ju Ju in Alameda, Carlifornia (see: http://www.yelp.com/biz/0QlH001-SzzfwwuLoS8B7g ), which I hope to get to see for myself before heading back to NYC.
Why can't they have something like this in every major city in the United Staes? Pinball machines are works of ART in their own right from the translite work, to the cabinet art work, to the back box, and upon the playfield. I especially LOVE the art on the machines from the 50's. I think I've found my mission in life...
The Pinball Hall of Fame is about 20 minutes from the Strip if you're coming from the Mandalay Bay area. Parking is plentiful in this non-descript strip mall. On the two occasions I visited there were only a handful of people playing the various machines.
Most of them are VERY well maintained, cleaned, polished, restored, and in excellent working order for machines that are on 24/7. This place is a labor of love and it shows. All proceeds go to charity - I believe the Salvation Army.
I'll update the review eventually with all of the machines I got to play. However my all-time favorite is:
+ The Pinball Circus (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4354 )
There are only two of these in the world and the Pinball Hall of Fame has ONE of them!!! This machine is awesome! It's unique in that Midway created a machine that was upright and vertical in the same way as other coin-op video games versus the traditional horizontal playfield. There's three different playfields and at least 7 flippers on this particular pin. Incredibly unique and incredibly fun to play for $1.00 per game. I was able to get 2 free games based on one credit. All I know is that if this game were still on the open resale market or available brand new, I'd have one in my house! I love it that much. Too bad Midway is now out of business. I really wish this machine was not just a limited prototype and was actually mass produced.
Most of the old-school pinball machines (ie: electro-mechanical (EM's)) are $.25. The solid-state machines are either $.50 or $.75 per game.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to play all 170+ machines. Each one has a different "personality" and set of rules. I could easily waste the entire day at this place. The machines I typically gravitate to and would be compelled to collect are those produced in the 90's like:
+ Addams Family (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=20 )
+ Scared Stiff (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3915 )
+ Star Wars (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2358 )
For those produced after the Year 2000 - all produced by STERN (see: www.sternpinball.com ):
+ High Roller Casino (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4502 )
+ The Simpsons Pinball Party (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4674 )
+ Spiderman (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5237 )
The Electro-Mechanicals (EM's) are a special breed of machine that doesn't have all the gadgets or high speed of the newer solid state machines. The best value for your quarter can be found in the EM's. While I have a preference for the later generation machines, it's so easy to appreciate the old school EM machines because of the great care put into maintaining and upkeep of these beautiful machines. My favs:
+ Kings and Queens (see: http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1381 )
+ others...
I absolutely LOVE the Pinball Hall of Fame. If you're in Sin City and not a golfer, gambler, or shopper and looking for something unique to see and experience, check out the Pinball Hall of Fame!
Absolute 5 STARS...
pix laters! =P
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